| 释义 |
corn-crake|ˈkɔːnkreɪk|
Also 6–9 -craik, 8 -creak, -crek.
[f. corn n.1 + crake.]
1. A name (originally Scottish) of the bird also called Landrail, Crex pratensis, found in summer in the British Islands; it lives concealed among standing corn and the grass of the hayfields, whence its harsh grating voice may be heard.
a1455Houlate lxi, The Corne Crake, the pundar at hand. 1552Lyndesay Monarche 6314 The Cornecraik in the croft I heir hir cry. 1772Barrington in Phil. Trans. LXII. 318 This bird is..very common..in Ireland, where they are called corn-creaks. a1813A. Wilson Poet. Wks., Summer Evening, Hoarse screams the corn-craik from the dewy hay. 1829E. Jesse Jrnl. Nat. 329 The noise..reminds us of the spring call of the rail or corncrake. 1884St. James's Gaz. 29 May 6/2 The corn-craik in the misty fields.
2. ‘A hand-rattle with a ratchet wheel, used to frighten birds from sown seed or growing corn’ (Jamieson); also a nursery toy making a similiar grating noise.
3. Comb., as corncrake-like adj.
1887Pall Mall G. 15 Feb., His flail-like movement of arm and corncrake-like voice in full action. |